Jason K Smith

Bio

Education

• BS Engineering Physics - Material Science minor - University of Tennessee
• MS Physics - Experimental Solid State Physics - Low Dimensional Materials - University of Tennessee
  • Thesis: Surface Studies of Selective Hydrogen Desorption from Silicon

Experience

• 17 years experience in laboratory operations.
• Transitioned through four different company phases prior to coming to ORNL: start-up, venture-capital-tech-to-IPO, growth-high-tech, to value-high-tech.
• Positions held: Sensor Technician (1yr), Sensor Research Engineer (4yr), Sensor Development Manager (11yr)
• Specialist in surface preparation and contact deposition to wide band gap semi-insulators, surface preparation and optical engineering of hygroscopic materials, as well as process engineering for efficiency, spectroscopic performance and reliability in harsh field use environments.
• Pioneered successful commercialization of several unique sensor materials.
• Optimization of photovoltaic induced charge collection and leakage current reduction through innovation and process control of semi-insulator surface physics on polar tertiary chalcogen based materials.
• Processing experience includes chemical and/or physical deposition of Au, Cu, Ni, Pt, Al2O3, SiN, as well as surface modification techniques through chemical or plasma etching and oxidation techniques.
• Developed quality assurance processes, stress testing, problem resolution, and root cause analysis.  Grew operations from 20 sensors per month to over 1000 sensors per month.  Largest two contracts totaled 45M. Experienced with development and production of highly hygroscopic materials.   All together, totaled around 1800 sensor packages per month assembled, quality checked, plus servicing, with a core team of three.
• Development of spectroscopic SiPM devices for neutron and gamma detection, publications produced, patents held.  Development of new scintillator systems including gadolinium garnets as well as a variety of scintillators or scintillator systems containing Lithium.
• 120 hours Entrepreneurial Leadership Training at Babson College